Following three weeks of unrest in France, a new poll suggests that the French support a “strict” response to the unrest including a “tough law-and-order” stance and stricter controls on immigration. However, while supporting measures that would further criminalize immigration, many French citizens also support new social programs proposed by Prime Minister Jaques Chirac. Last week Chirac stated that “we [the French] can build nothing lasting unless we fight this poison for society that is discrimination” and promised a variety of social programs to address the racism and discrimination inherent in contemporary French society and identity. Among the programs promised are the creation of a paid training and employment program that will offer employment in the armed services or in the government dealing with health, environmental, and cultural concerns and a concerted effort to improve access to employment for black and African youth.

Meanwhile, a variety of interesting documents pertaining to the unrest continue to be translated into English. An article from the French newspaper Liberation demonstrated support for the rebellion amongst women living in the suburbs while a statement from the immigrant members of the radical CNT-AIT union issued in May of 2005 argued for a movement against those who humiliate immigrants on a daily basis in the French suburbs. The French Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) recently issued a statement describing how France, in particular Minister of the Interior Sarkozy, is turning toward fascism. Analysis of the rebellion also continues to be published, with some examining the class nature of the rebellion and another blaming the "opposition" Socialist Party in France for France's poor response.